R-1-8 Zone in San Jose, CA
R-1-8 zoning district rules in San Jose, CA. Permitted uses, setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage requirements.
The R-1-8 zone in San Jose, CA is a residential district (Single-Family Residential). Permits one dwelling unit per lot. Typically the most restrictive residential zone. Designed to preserve the character of established single-family neighborhoods. This zone requires a 20 ft front setback, 5 ft side setback, and 20 ft rear setback. Maximum building height is 30 feet (2 stories). Maximum lot coverage is 40%.
Common Permitted Uses
- Single-family homes
Permits one dwelling unit per lot. Typically the most restrictive residential zone. Designed to preserve the character of established single-family neighborhoods.
Setback Requirements
| Setback Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | 20 feet |
| Side Setback | 5 feet |
| Rear Setback | 20 feet |
San Jose Municipal Code Title 20. R-1-8 = Single Family Residential, 8,000 sqft minimum lot. Same setback pattern as R-1-6 for standard lots.
Height Limits
- Max Height
- 30 feet
- Max Stories
- 2
San Jose Municipal Code Title 20. Same 30 ft limit as R-1-6.
Lot Coverage
- Max Coverage
- 40%
San Jose Municipal Code Title 20. Slightly lower coverage for larger lot single-family zone.
Parking Requirements
Single-family: 2 covered spaces per single-family dwelling (garage required) in R-1 zones. Per San Jose Municipal Code Title 20. Multi-family: 1.5–2 spaces per unit in most R-3 and R-M zones. Reduced requirements near BART and VTA stations in Urban Village areas. Transit Proximity Overlay may eliminate minimums in some areas.
Source: San Jose Municipal Code Title 20; California Government Code Chapter 13 §§66314–66333 (Stats. 2024 Ch. 7 §20). Last verified April 5, 2026. View source